Are you getting ready to go camping? Are you prepared for the common things that may happen to you while you’re camping? Some camping knowledge may be fairly basic, but it is a good idea to go over what you need to know. Keep reading for smart tips.
Gets Dark
Let all of your family members have a chance to contribute to picking a campsite. Talk about which state to go to. The United States offers so many choices that choosing one can be hard! Narrow down your top choices and let your entire family decide.
Find your shelter before it gets dark. Once it gets dark, it is much harder to find wood for your fire, prepare food, and get your tent ready. This is even more true for city folks whose eyes are not used to the pitch black. Do not wind up in this position. Seek shelter and make camp for the night well before darkness sets in.
Never assume that you will find enough wood to burn, because rain can change that in an instant. Therefore, take some wood with you on your camping trip and store it in a location where it can remain dry.
It is better to over-pack than to under-pack, especially for kids. Camping can be a bit messy. Children seem to be magnetically attracted to dirt. Because of this, your children will likely be filthy by the end of the day. It is almost impossible to prevent, but luckily, you will not need to worry if you have extra clothes on hand. Always prepare!
When purchasing a brand new tent, put it together once at home before going on your camping trip. This will ensure that your tent is not missing pieces and that you understand how to set up your tent correctly. This can eliminate the frustration of trying to set up your tent in a hurry.
Survival Kit
Go to a class to learn about first aid. You will be prepared for any accidents that may occur and can survive until you reach professional medical care. Also, do your research. Know about any poisonous snakes and spiders in the area, and learn what animals live there.
Bring a survival kit with you and be sure to always have it on you. In your survival kit, be sure you have waterproof matches, a flare gun, a first aid kit, water-purifying tablets and a knife. You need this if you become lost or stranded; the items in your kit may save your life. This kit should be carried with you and not left back at camp.
When going camping you need to ensure that the tent you build can easily hold you and anybody else that comes along. This will make it easy for you all to have a comfortable time sleeping, and moving around in the middle of the night when nature calls for people.
Make your kids a “jungle breakfast”. Tie to the trees small boxes of cereal, fruit, and juice boxes. When the children awake, tell them that they have to “hunt” to get breakfast. This makes an interesting diversion for them during the trip.
Preparation can make your camping trip easy and relaxing. When you are prepared, you avoid many of the common mistakes that are made on camping trips. When heading to a new spot, be sure to research the area thoroughly so you know what to expect with regard to weather and wildlife.
If you are camping in the summer, go swimming too. When you go camping, you can miss out on things like showers. Spending some time in cool water can help you stay clean and refresh your spirits, so a little swimming can soothe the part of your heart longing for a bath.
Did you know that dryer lint can make great kindling to get a campfire started? Collect some lint from your clothes dryer to bring with you. Hang a plastic bag beside your dryer and toss the lint into it. Doing this means you can just snag your kindling on the way out the door the morning your trip starts.
Pack a bandanna or handkerchief. You can use that piece of material for many purposes, such as holding a hot pot, cleaning surfaces, etc. Because there are so many versatile uses for them, bringing one or two on each camping trip is a good idea.
There are many items in terms of camping equipment that you should bring on your trip. Forgetting something crucial like your sleeping bag or a fire starter is not something you want to happen. Be sure you double check everything you’re taking and create a checklist prior to taking off so you’re sure everything is there.
If you are going camping, be sure to have a first aid kit. You may need different supplies, depending on where you will be, but there are certain things that you should always have. Don’t forget to pack the extra for your location, too, such as antivenom for snake bites.
If you are camping in uncharted territory, make sure that you understand potential dangers lurking there. You should know if there are deadly spiders found there, or if sheer cliffs or flash floods occur there. Each camping spot is unique and can be dangerous in its own way.
Make sure you pack plenty of camping-friendly food. It depends on how long you’ll be out, but you must have food that won’t spoil on your trip. Food poisoning will put a damper on your trip and force you to end it quickly. Prepare your food properly and research any precautions you need to take.
Don’t leave home without all of your essential camping equipment. It is very inconvenient to forget to bring essential items like your sleeping bag or tent. Check to make sure you have everything you need with a check list prior to going on your trip.
Take a few things with you to entertain yourself while you’re camping. You can take card games, a list for a scavenger hunt, and fishing poles for some entertainment. If you bring your kids, these games will help to fill the void when there is free time.
Plan your camping attire in advance of your trip. Consider how many outfits you will need for the number of days you plan to be on your trip and add in a few extra in case of bad weather. Pack clothing appropriate for your campsite’s climate and weather. You want to bring durable shoes that are closed toed like hiking boots since they work in many situations.
Always pack enough food and the right kind. Depending on how long you’re planning to be camping, it’s important to have things that won’t go bad during the trip. Your camping trip will be ruined if you get food poisoning. Prepare all food in the right way and follow all other precautions that the kind of food needs.
Make sure that duct tape is part of your supply arsenal while camping. Tents are fairly strong these days, but aren’t completely resistant to tears. A few strips of this durable tape can keep you dry and cozy at night if your tent is damaged during the day.
Waterproof matches should be added to your camping survival kit. Always store your matches in a container or packaging that is airtight. A regular match can be made waterproof by dipping it in nail polish or paraffin. You can easily find something to hold them, perhaps a film canister or a medication bottle.
Take along items to use while you are camping in the wild. Playing cards, board games and fishing poles can make for lots of fun. Take as many entertainment items as you can fit if you are taking kids on your trip.
Sleeping Bag
Use the appropriate sleeping bag for the current season. Summer requires only a lightweight sleeping bag. For wintertime, you will need to ensure that you have a heavyweight bag that will keep you warm in cold temperatures.
Generally when you camp, you want to live with as little as possible but still be prepared for anything. Though a sleeping bag is great, extra blankets can also be useful. That way, you will be prepared for an unexpected chill, or you can have a softer place to sleep.
People that are new at camping sometimes mistakenly set up their camps near restrooms. They might feel that it’s convenient for them, but they’ll find out quickly it’s the opposite. Bathrooms attract many people and also end up lit up at night. They may end up ruining the entire experience.
After reading this, you should be well-prepared for your trip. While camping isn’t a fancy activity, it still requires preparation. The information given here can help you have a memorable trip!
When you get to the campsite, set your tent up on the flattest, softest ground you can find. It is important to feel as level as possible to maximize the comfort that you feel. In addition to looking for soft ground, lay down a tarp to prevent moisture from soaking into the bottom of your tent.
